Hi, all --

I have really bad RSI. I got awarded SSDI benefits not too long ago, which I'm thrilled about.

However, I may also have the opportunity to return to work (I've worked 3 days a week for some time now, and would continue with that schedule), which is also great.

But I'm not sure if I can physically handle the demands of my job. I'd be working with speech-recognition software, but I'm worried that I'd still be doing too much with my hands for the rest of my job duties, even w/the accommodations they're willing to make.

So my question is this: Is it better to return to work and use the trial work period up, even if you're not sure you can physically handle working yet?

Or is it best to wait until you feel like you're getting better to attempt to work again? I'd just hate to use up this trial period now, if I could benefit more from it later.

But these accommodations they're willing to make for me at my job seem too good to pass up, and this is probably the one chance I have to return to my old job... even if I'm still doing some work that could be too hard on me physically.

Help! Has anyone experienced something similar? I don't want to get worse, but I don't want to pass up what could be a great opportunity to return to work. Any suggestions/insight would be greatly appreciated.

Hi RSI,
The sucess to returning to work even part time is the type of work you will now do. Especially for an RSI, I also do, but, I found that many incidentals affect it then the typing. The voice software is not 100% accurate. I am provided a lap top with software for my return to work early this eyar. I have worked since the end of Jan. and have not had any SGA for months toward the trial work period.

I am working 10 hours a week right now, just three days a week. When I was in training before our program was certified, I did hundreds of manuals pulling staples, coping 10 sets of hundreds of pages. One day I went through two reams of copy paper. I used the palm of my hand to restaple and developed a ganglion. Now that I don't have the task any more the ganglion calmed down.

When I was injured, I could no longer return to law enforcement and retrained. I am in a program as an officer of the court now.

I have a document that soc sec had me fill out, they assesed, and returned a letter stating; no gainfull months towrd my trial work period and secondly, no medical improvment. So although I have worked 10 months, nothing has been applied.

To get the special needs equipment though, OVR Office of vocational rehabilatation, did have me assign them my ticket to work. I was expecting my CDR for this year but did not get one. I think because of being in the program.

I am able to contribute to my home, I am in the most case, really light duty, moving furniture and setting up rooms does flare me, but I pace and use help. I am stuck with a huge student loan to pay off and mega bills.

But, I receive many thanks for doing the job I am doing, and have people and supervisors take time to thank for what they feel are special things, (I feel just part of my job) .

I could never do receptionist work, office desk work, or anything repetative again. I found that out. I sent out resumes, went to many interviews and was getting disappointed not to find anything.
But, what was suppose to come for me did. I am really fatiqued, days I work I get home and crash, it take a lot more energy working with a disability.

I do not tell them at work I am disabled though.
Not always the best thing to do. There are incentives for employers to receive, and also, if you have to miss time from your work due to disability, it is on record and difficult to fire someone. If you don't tell them, and miss the time, it is not good.

I have several post about my training and working experiance and the earnings how it has not affected my SSDI. If you do a serarch under my username or this forum.

Good luck, Nothing lost if you choose to try. It is easy to stop work, and even if you work long enough to use up the trial work period, it doesn't mean you will be dropped if you are still under the $900 next year.

Even if you are, anytime in the next I think it is three years unable to continue working, benfits are restated without a delay.
Dianne